AHAA Horse Show Attracts Participants from Western Canada

AHAA Horse Show Attracts Participants from Western Canada

Rosanne Fortier - News Correspondent

Appaloosa Horse Association of Alberta (AHAA) held a show at Vegreville Agricultural Grounds on June 26 and 27.

Dewes said there were 60 participants who ranged between three and 70 years of age. They came from Red Deer, Edmonton, Saskatoon, and Manitoba. There were also many participants from Vegreville and surrounding areas in the show.

“This was a breed show, an Appaloosa Show. They had some all breed classes too, so other breeds could be in the show, but the primary thing was it was an Appaloosa Show. Appaloosa horses are a very versatile coloured breed; the horses are different colours. They are generally very good minded and easy to work with horses,” Dewes said.

Local participants.

(Rosanne Fortier/Photo)

“The skills participants and their horses gained from taking part in shows like this are they learned how to compete at different events, gained exposure to being in group settings, and when they participate in Appaloosa Shows they get points and can win awards for this breed. The versatility of the horse is what is being showcased.

Overall, the show turned out well. It was very well attended because of COVID-19 everything has been cancelled and people were excited to get going again. There were about 60 spectators,”

Dewes added. Participant Shawna Bast, who resides on a farm in the Two

Hills area, stated, “I am a cattle girl but I got into horse showing

Local exhibitor Shawna Bast.

(Rosanne Fortier/Photo)

because I had a friend who passed away from cancer. This lady gave me her horse that was named Zippy. Later, I bought a horse which I named Fynn that participated in the horse show in Vegreville.

Fynn has been competing at horse shows for around five years now. The skills I felt that I gained from this show were I learned that you really have to develop a connection with your horse. It is scary for the horses at these horse shows because you are really expecting a lot out of them.

They are also around a lot of different horses, stands, and environments. They have to channel their energy through you. I had to keep saying to Fynn, ‘I have you and you have me and everything is going to be okay.’ The horse looks to their owners as a leader; they have to know it is safe and everything is good.

“Overall, the show went great for me. I won first in both Western Pleasure classes and I got first in Hunter In-Hand, as well as, I won other awards. But most of what we achieved depends on our trainer and coach. Roxanne Dewes encouraged and helped me through the process of horse training and showing.”